Local Veterans React to President Obama's Speech
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Updated: August 2, 2010
President Obama announced today that the combat missions in Iraq would end by Aug. 31, 2010. He plans to reduce the number of troops in Iraq to 50,000 by the end of this month and a full withdraw is expected to happen by the end of next year.
Recently, SSgt. Emil Busby served three back to back tours in Iraq. He knows firsthand the complexity of the war and the hard work troops have put in to finally be able to come home.
"We are fulfilling the SOFA Agreement that George Bush made with them, and so their government has asked us to leave at this point," said Busby.
Busby is now the President of the Falcon Veterans Association at UTPB. He is also studying to become a high school history teacher at the university. Busby believes the announcement President Obama made today is the right choice.
"And I made it clear that by Aug. 31, 2010 American's combat mission in Iraq would end," said President Obama.
"Get us out of there, but don't make it a political ploy for your own political status," said Johnie Lee, a Vietnam veteran.
Lee is also the Founder and President of Soldiers of Today and Yesterday. His organization works closely with Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. Lee tells Big 2 News this war should of been stopped a long time ago, but at the same time he believes after the U.S. pulls out chaos will break out in Iraq. He said Iran will try to take control of the oil and it will give insurgent groups the opportunity to gain control of the country. Another Vietnam veteran couldn't agree more.
"I think they will start to move where they become a primary source of control there," said Victor Silvester, a Vietnam veteran.
Both Vietnam veterans disagree with the President announcing his plans today because they think it gives the enemy a heads up.
President Obama also plans to send diplomats into Iraq to help with the civilian effort.
